Brucie Klay Boonstoppel, owner/director, is a native of the Tampa Bay area. She began her
training in the Cecchetti Method of ballet at the Florida Academy of Ballet in Tampa. She
continued her studies at Florida State University studying under Maria de Baroncelli, Richard Sias,
David Roche, and Lynda Davis and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. Brucie
also studied summers at the American Dance Festival held at Duke University in Durham, NC
along with studies in New York with Richard Thomas, Melissa Hayden, David Howard, and Phil
Black.
Brucie has performed as a professional dancer in Southern Ballet Theatre, State of Alabama
Ballet, Omni Dance Theatre and shows at Rosie O'Gradys and Busch Gardens. In past years she
continued to perform at various special events while she began and built her dance school. She
has been teaching for 25 years, including semesters at University of South Florida and University
of Tampa. Brucie continues her education by attending different seminars and conventions, and
has brought BKDC to have the wonderful reputation it has today.
training in the Cecchetti Method of ballet at the Florida Academy of Ballet in Tampa. She
continued her studies at Florida State University studying under Maria de Baroncelli, Richard Sias,
David Roche, and Lynda Davis and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. Brucie
also studied summers at the American Dance Festival held at Duke University in Durham, NC
along with studies in New York with Richard Thomas, Melissa Hayden, David Howard, and Phil
Black.
Brucie has performed as a professional dancer in Southern Ballet Theatre, State of Alabama
Ballet, Omni Dance Theatre and shows at Rosie O'Gradys and Busch Gardens. In past years she
continued to perform at various special events while she began and built her dance school. She
has been teaching for 25 years, including semesters at University of South Florida and University
of Tampa. Brucie continues her education by attending different seminars and conventions, and
has brought BKDC to have the wonderful reputation it has today.
Melissa Walters has been teaching at Brucie Klay's Dance Center for twelve years. Her training
was at the Blackwood Studios for 18 years in ballet, tap, and acrobatics. During this time she also
trained at the South Lake Dance Center, along with State dance conventions and workshops.
Melissa has passed teaching exams at the Blackwood Studios, the Florida Dance Masters
membership and teacher's training school. She has taught at many studios in central Florida and
has been a master teacher at the Florida Dance Masters Conventions. Melissa continues her
work at Brucie Klay's and has introduced a class in Theatre Jazz to the school. In this class the
dancers learn well known productions and the stylized choreography involved. Melissa Walters
has a talent for producing a performance within a performance, as showcased in our yearly
dance recital.
was at the Blackwood Studios for 18 years in ballet, tap, and acrobatics. During this time she also
trained at the South Lake Dance Center, along with State dance conventions and workshops.
Melissa has passed teaching exams at the Blackwood Studios, the Florida Dance Masters
membership and teacher's training school. She has taught at many studios in central Florida and
has been a master teacher at the Florida Dance Masters Conventions. Melissa continues her
work at Brucie Klay's and has introduced a class in Theatre Jazz to the school. In this class the
dancers learn well known productions and the stylized choreography involved. Melissa Walters
has a talent for producing a performance within a performance, as showcased in our yearly
dance recital.
Amy Taylor has an impressive teaching background. Her own training includes the Erie Civic
Ballet, Chautauqua Summer Program, National Academy of Dance, Haydee Gutierrez, Tampa
Ballet, and the USF Dance Department. Over the past 30 years Amy has credits including: Artistic
Director Florida West Ballet Company, Moscow Ballet Nutcracker Children's Rehearsal Mistress,
USF Adjunct Faculty, Judith Lee Johnson's Studio, Suncoast Academy. Many of Amy's students
have gone on to professional careers with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre,
David Parson's, Atlanta Ballet, Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, Buglisi Foremann, National Touring
Company of The King and I, Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular and more. Brucie Klay's
Dance Center is fortunate to have the talent of Amy Taylor.
Ballet, Chautauqua Summer Program, National Academy of Dance, Haydee Gutierrez, Tampa
Ballet, and the USF Dance Department. Over the past 30 years Amy has credits including: Artistic
Director Florida West Ballet Company, Moscow Ballet Nutcracker Children's Rehearsal Mistress,
USF Adjunct Faculty, Judith Lee Johnson's Studio, Suncoast Academy. Many of Amy's students
have gone on to professional careers with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre,
David Parson's, Atlanta Ballet, Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, Buglisi Foremann, National Touring
Company of The King and I, Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular and more. Brucie Klay's
Dance Center is fortunate to have the talent of Amy Taylor.
Ernesta Suarez-Chicklowski has her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Voice & Theatre from Florida
State University, and was voted Homecoming Queen while attending F.S.U. demonstrating her
popularity among all. She currently teaches full time at Roosevelt Elementary School in South
Tampa, along with work at Coleman Middle School, and various private lessons in voice and musical
instruments. Ernesta is an explosion of energy and enthusiasm, a great addition to the BKDC staff.
State University, and was voted Homecoming Queen while attending F.S.U. demonstrating her
popularity among all. She currently teaches full time at Roosevelt Elementary School in South
Tampa, along with work at Coleman Middle School, and various private lessons in voice and musical
instruments. Ernesta is an explosion of energy and enthusiasm, a great addition to the BKDC staff.
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| 3601 S. Manhattan Avenue Tampa, FL 33611 813-837-0387 |
Jennifer Russell is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a BFA degree in Dance Performance.
She has performed principle roles on Broadway, off Broadway, regional theater productions, and on
nationally aired television shows. Jennifer has also appeared on television commercials, in corporate
industrials and as a runway and print model for several dancewear companies. She has also been
recognized for her work as a dance choreographer.
Jennifer has trained in dance, theatre, voiceand instrumental music. While in college, she toured the
country for three summers as a musician and has taught movement and choreography as part of the visual
instructional staffs of a World Class Dividion Drum and Bugle Corps, a University and a High School
Program.
As a youth, Jennifer began performing professionally at the age of eleven and earned one hundred twenty
scholarships or titles as a competitive dancer. She brings these experiences to all her work in the arts from
performing, judging competitive events to teaching workshops or working one-on-one with students.
Some of Jennifer’s accomplishments listed below:
Radio City Chrstmas Spectacular – 2 Seasons- NYC, NY
American Dance Company “Mixed Emotions” – NYC, NY
Interdancza 2000 – Monterrey, Mexico
American Dance Company “Grand Prix” – Barcelona, Spain
“Encore, An Evening at the Ballet” – Baltimore, MD
“The Nutcracker” – Guest artist – 5 Seasons – Tampa, Fl.
Gulf Coast Symphony – Guest Artist – Fort Myers, Fl.
Company Dance with Paula Abdul – E.S.P.N.
American Dance Chapionships with Ben Vereen
Jenny Jones Show “America’s Most Talented Kids”
University of South Florida – SunDolls – Tampa, Fl.
Modeling for many dance catalogs including Discount Dance Supply, Curtain Call, and A Wish Come True
She has performed principle roles on Broadway, off Broadway, regional theater productions, and on
nationally aired television shows. Jennifer has also appeared on television commercials, in corporate
industrials and as a runway and print model for several dancewear companies. She has also been
recognized for her work as a dance choreographer.
Jennifer has trained in dance, theatre, voiceand instrumental music. While in college, she toured the
country for three summers as a musician and has taught movement and choreography as part of the visual
instructional staffs of a World Class Dividion Drum and Bugle Corps, a University and a High School
Program.
As a youth, Jennifer began performing professionally at the age of eleven and earned one hundred twenty
scholarships or titles as a competitive dancer. She brings these experiences to all her work in the arts from
performing, judging competitive events to teaching workshops or working one-on-one with students.
Some of Jennifer’s accomplishments listed below:
Radio City Chrstmas Spectacular – 2 Seasons- NYC, NY
American Dance Company “Mixed Emotions” – NYC, NY
Interdancza 2000 – Monterrey, Mexico
American Dance Company “Grand Prix” – Barcelona, Spain
“Encore, An Evening at the Ballet” – Baltimore, MD
“The Nutcracker” – Guest artist – 5 Seasons – Tampa, Fl.
Gulf Coast Symphony – Guest Artist – Fort Myers, Fl.
Company Dance with Paula Abdul – E.S.P.N.
American Dance Chapionships with Ben Vereen
Jenny Jones Show “America’s Most Talented Kids”
University of South Florida – SunDolls – Tampa, Fl.
Modeling for many dance catalogs including Discount Dance Supply, Curtain Call, and A Wish Come True
Jerry Haughton began his dance training at the age of 10 and at 16 was a winner on the popular television
show “Star Search”.
After graduating from the Pinellas County Center for the Arts Jerry went straight to performing
professionally as a featured vocalist at Busch Gardens. Following Busch Gardens he worked aboard the
Norwegian Cruise Lines and then went on to play Aladdin in Tokyo Disney Land’s production of “Aladdin’s
Great Adventure". Upon returning to America Jerry took featured performance roles at Opryland as well as
Seaworld. It was around this time he started his longest running gig at the Walt Disney World Company in
Orlando, Florida. He became a Pleasure Island Explosion Dancer which is where Jerry fell in love with the
ever growing dance form of hip- hop, and got the opportunity to cut his teeth in choreography. He was
priviledged to get to work with several famous choreographers and dancers. He then moved on to "The
Hunchback of Notre Dame" at MGM Studios where he appeared as Clopin and Quasimodo for the following
two years. Taking a few months from Disney ,Jerry embarked on a North American tour with the popular
recording trio "Mpress". Soon returning back to the Disney family to perform for The Disney Cruise Lines
as a lead performer in all of it's productions. He then spent the better part of a year in Los Angeles taking
class and working on his craft. He also appeared in Disneyland's version of "Aladdin". Jerry was asked to
return to Orlando to be the featured male adagio dancer at the Animal Kingdoms "The Festival of the
Lion King". After two years he was chosen to be the lead vocalist in Animal Kingdoms "Tarzan Rocks" and
then returned to "The Lion King" where he still performs occasionally today. Through all of his career Jerry
has been teaching for several different studios throughout central Florida and is extremely excited to be
entering the field of dance education full time. With years of experience as a performer as well as an
instructor he hopes to inspire dancers to find the same love for dance and performing that has kept him
going for the past 26 years.
Andrea Ignatov has strong technical abilities in teaching a wide range of disciplines, including ballet, modern,
jazz and choreography & improvisation. Her love of teaching pushes Andrea to constantly create new and
exciting ways to educate students through dance.
Andrea has taught at the following schools: Florida Dance Centre, Florida Ballet School, Palm Harbor
Montessori Academy, Sadler Dance, Anderson Production Company, Rice Lake High School, Cameron High
School, Corita's School of Dance.
Andrea's education includes: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point,
Dance Masters of America, UWSP Summer intensives, Dance Olympus, Corita's School of Dance, Long
Beach Ballet Company School.
Andrea Ignatov is currently teaching the lyrical program at BKDC.
jazz and choreography & improvisation. Her love of teaching pushes Andrea to constantly create new and
exciting ways to educate students through dance.
Andrea has taught at the following schools: Florida Dance Centre, Florida Ballet School, Palm Harbor
Montessori Academy, Sadler Dance, Anderson Production Company, Rice Lake High School, Cameron High
School, Corita's School of Dance.
Andrea's education includes: University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point,
Dance Masters of America, UWSP Summer intensives, Dance Olympus, Corita's School of Dance, Long
Beach Ballet Company School.
Andrea Ignatov is currently teaching the lyrical program at BKDC.
Shana Donahue Perkins, a native of Toronto Canada, has been a choreographer and dancer for 17
years. She graduated with honors on scholarship from The University of South Florida with a degree
in Modern Dance Performance. During this time she was given the opportunity to also study at Alvin
Ailey, NY Joe Goode, San Francisco, and Jose Bustemonte, Austin Texas. She was chosen to
represent the college at an International Cultural Affair in Tunisia, Africa where she performed her
choreography, “It’s Hard to Stumble on Your Knees”. She has performed in videos such as “The Girl
Ain’t Worth It”, and commercials for Fosters and Coca Cola. She has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show
as a guest/dancer, and “Dave TV”. She has performed off-Broadway in “Cats”, and is currently a
dancer with the Moving Current Collection, Tampa. She also was a principal dancer with Gregory
Hancock Dance Theatre, Indianapolis. She has been on faculty as a dance instructor at Blake
Performing Arts High School, Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts, She has worked as a
guest teacher and adjunct at various educational institutes such as St. Pete College, University of
Florida, University of South Florida, Booker Performing Arts High School, Tampa Prepatory, and the
Patel Conservatory.
She has also taught at several studios including Debrah Stage Door, MI, Academy of Dance Arts, IN,
and is currently teaching at Brucie Klay's Dance Center, FL.
She started on staff at the 21st Century Charter School, Indianapolis, as the first Fine Arts
Administrator, then continued her career in education as the Area Program Director for "Live the
Rhythm" in the Lawrence Township afterschool programs (IN).She has choreographed several
musicals such as The Wiz, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, On a Clear Day, and Cinderella. She has
received three grants from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County for her work in the school system
setting choreography on students, and developing dance programs.
*She has won the Indvidual Artsist Grant from the Arts council of Hillsborough County, and the Bates
Dance Festival Teachers Fellowship.
years. She graduated with honors on scholarship from The University of South Florida with a degree
in Modern Dance Performance. During this time she was given the opportunity to also study at Alvin
Ailey, NY Joe Goode, San Francisco, and Jose Bustemonte, Austin Texas. She was chosen to
represent the college at an International Cultural Affair in Tunisia, Africa where she performed her
choreography, “It’s Hard to Stumble on Your Knees”. She has performed in videos such as “The Girl
Ain’t Worth It”, and commercials for Fosters and Coca Cola. She has appeared on the Dr. Phil Show
as a guest/dancer, and “Dave TV”. She has performed off-Broadway in “Cats”, and is currently a
dancer with the Moving Current Collection, Tampa. She also was a principal dancer with Gregory
Hancock Dance Theatre, Indianapolis. She has been on faculty as a dance instructor at Blake
Performing Arts High School, Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts, She has worked as a
guest teacher and adjunct at various educational institutes such as St. Pete College, University of
Florida, University of South Florida, Booker Performing Arts High School, Tampa Prepatory, and the
Patel Conservatory.
She has also taught at several studios including Debrah Stage Door, MI, Academy of Dance Arts, IN,
and is currently teaching at Brucie Klay's Dance Center, FL.
She started on staff at the 21st Century Charter School, Indianapolis, as the first Fine Arts
Administrator, then continued her career in education as the Area Program Director for "Live the
Rhythm" in the Lawrence Township afterschool programs (IN).She has choreographed several
musicals such as The Wiz, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, On a Clear Day, and Cinderella. She has
received three grants from the Arts Council of Hillsborough County for her work in the school system
setting choreography on students, and developing dance programs.
*She has won the Indvidual Artsist Grant from the Arts council of Hillsborough County, and the Bates
Dance Festival Teachers Fellowship.
Margaret Ann Mitchell (Jazz/Tap) has been a student, performer and teacher of dance since the age of
five. After Childhood study in Connecticut, she attended the University of Colorado, Naropa Institute and
Southern Connecticut State University where she earned both her BA and MS degrees. She performed with
Southern Connecticut State’s Dance Theater Company and assisted with choreography. Meg also acted
and danced in numerous plays in the Connecticut/New York metropolitan area and was nominated for an
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. After receiving her graduate degree, Meg continued her studies of dance
and acting at HB Studio and Steps on Broadway. In Charlotte, NC, Meg was the lead adult teacher and
choreographer at the James J. Harris School of Dance where she taught Adult Tap, Adult Jazz, and Adult
Ballet. She also held master classes and choreographed for the Junior and Senior dance companies. Meg
moved to Tampa in 2007 with her family.
five. After Childhood study in Connecticut, she attended the University of Colorado, Naropa Institute and
Southern Connecticut State University where she earned both her BA and MS degrees. She performed with
Southern Connecticut State’s Dance Theater Company and assisted with choreography. Meg also acted
and danced in numerous plays in the Connecticut/New York metropolitan area and was nominated for an
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. After receiving her graduate degree, Meg continued her studies of dance
and acting at HB Studio and Steps on Broadway. In Charlotte, NC, Meg was the lead adult teacher and
choreographer at the James J. Harris School of Dance where she taught Adult Tap, Adult Jazz, and Adult
Ballet. She also held master classes and choreographed for the Junior and Senior dance companies. Meg
moved to Tampa in 2007 with her family.
